With the Angels right on their heels, the Oakland A’s will need to take care of two other division rivals this week in order to maintain their advantage in the AL West. The A’s and Angels have the two best records in baseball and both teams are hot. The Angels won two of three from the Mariners this week and will now host the Orioles after their stay in Oakland.

The A’s meanwhile took care of business at home against the AL East leading Baltimore Orioles. Oakland won two of three in two close battles Friday and Saturday and a blowout victory on Sunday. The A’s got a walk-off home run from Josh Donaldson on Friday night and had a late opportunity fall short on Saturday. Sonny Gray took care of the O’s on Sunday to give the A’s the series win and remain 1.5 games ahead of the Angels.

First up this week for the A’s are the Houston Astros. While the Astros remain clearly in rebuilding mode, they hit a snag this past week when they couldn’t sign the 1st overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Brady Aiken. The Astros will try to stave off the Rangers for the cellar position in the AL West the rest of the season. In the two prior series so far this season, the A’s have won 5 of 7 against the Astros and will look to, at least, win this week’s series by taking two of three before heading out on the road. Here are the expected pitching match-ups for the series:

Tuesday, 7/22 vs. Houston, 7:05pm, Brett Oberholtzer (2-7) vs. Scott Kazmir (11-3)

Wednesday, 7/23 vs. Houston, 7:05pm, Brad Peacock (3-6) vs. Jesse Chavez (7-6)

Thursday, 7/24 vs. Houston, 12:35pm, Scott Feldman (4-7) vs. Jeff Samardzija (1-1)

Predictions: The A’s will take care of business with a sweep against the Astros before heading out on the road and traveling for a week in Texas.

As referenced above, the Rangers are in the middle of a lost season. Led by Adrian Beltre, the Rangers offense remains in the top half of MLB across most statistical categories. However, their pitching staff (beyond Yu Darvish - who the A’s have seemingly owned in recent memory) has struggled mightily. As a group, the Rangers pitching staff is 29th in MLB in ERA and 30th (last) in Quality Starts, WHIP, and BAA.

Here are the expected pitching match-ups for the weekend series, highlighted by the Sunday Night Baseball match-up on ESPN.

Friday, 7/25 @ Texas, 5:05pm, Jason Hammel (0-2) vs. Nick Tepesch (3-5)

Saturday, 7/26 @ Texas, 5:05pm, Sonny Gray (11-3) vs. Miles Mikolas (0-2)

Sunday, 7/27 @ Texas, 5:05pm, Scott Kazmir (11-3) vs. Nick Martinez (1-6)

Predictions: Look for the A's to win two of three with Gray and Kazmir on the mound to close out the week.

Who’s Hot?

The heart of the A’s lineup is off to a great start in the second half of the season, with Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Donaldson building off of their All-Star Game appearances by having strong series this weekend against the Orioles.

Who’s Not?

Jason Hammel has not pitched well for the A’s since coming over from the Cubs. He is 0-2 in his two starts with an ERA of 9.00. In seven innings pitched, he’s given up three home runs and has walked as many as he has struck out (5). Hammel only went two innings on Saturday against the Orioles, which forced the A’s bullpen to put in the extra effort almost immediately after the break.

A’s Roster Movement

Previously designated for assignment by the A’s, starting pitcher Brad Mills was claimed by the Blue Jays this past week. The Oakland front office was hoping Mills would clear waivers so that they could keep him with the franchise.